Pet Food Compositions

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/250,440, filed Jan. 21, 2021, which is a national stage entry of PCT/US2020/070929, which was filed on Dec. 18, 2020, which claims the benefit of, and relies on the filing date of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/950,905, filed on Dec. 19, 2019, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

High-Protein, low carbohydrate food composition having non-fermentable fiber is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2011/0081443 A1. A food composition was provided having high protein levels, high fat levels, low carbohydrate levels and non-fermentable fiber. Methods of using these compositions for weight management in mammals were also provided.

Nutrition blend for health benefits in animals was disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0134132. The document taught a method of minimizing fat accumulation in a growing animal without limiting caloric intake or preventing or treating obesity in an animal, the method comprising orally administering a ketogenic diet and a nutrient blend to the animal. The nutrient blend can include at least four nutrients selected from the group consisting of walnut, maitake mushroom extract, EGCG, turmeric root powder, lycopene, taurine, EPA, and DHA to the animal.

The development of dietary therapy in cancer is discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0214410 to Hagihara et al (“Hagihara”). Hagihara provides new compositions or combinations thereof for the treatment of cancer. More specifically, Hagihara provides compositions or combinations thereof for cancer treatment including a high-fat diet. Specifically, the high-fat diet is characterized by having approximately 120 g/day or more, or approximately 70% or more of the total daily energy, from fat, based on a real bodyweight of 50 kg. The diet is preferably a carbohydrate-restricted high-fat diet, and more preferably provided by a ketone formula and/or MCT oil. The dietary therapy by a high-fat diet of the present disclosure is provided along with surgical treatment, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or combinations thereof.

Objects and method of diet adjustment in diabetes was discussed by R. T. Woodyatt in(Chic). 1921; vol. 28, iss. 2, pp. 125 to 141. In the dietetic management of diabetes the author was engaged in the effort to correlate symptoms and signs shown by the patient with the kinds and quantities of food he consumes. The success of treatment, the average of results in all types of cases, depends on the truth of our concept of the relationship existing between symptoms or signs and the food supply. During the previous few years the average of results obtained in the dietetic management of diabetes has been improved greatly through the work of Allen and Joslin, and the system they have developed is in some respects more logical and less empirical than any we have had heretofore. Yet the literature of the subject is still confused by a lack of unanimity among all writers as to the best manner of handling all cases.

A ketogenic diet is employed to reduce seizures in both dogs and humans A hallmark of current implementations of a ketogenic diet is a paucity of dietary fiber. Increased dietary fiber is associated with reductions in numerous maladies including cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, current implementations of the ketogenic diet come with stark warnings about possible detrimental consequences to the gut microbiome. For seizure remission, this is completely counterproductive. The mammalian gut microbiome mediates the effects of ketogenic diet to reduce seizures such that the ketogenic diet has reduced efficacy when a healthy, functioning microbiome is not present in the subject (The Gut Microbiota Mediates the Anti-Seizure Effects of the Ketogenic Diet. Cell. 2018 Jun. 14;173(7):1728-1741. Thus, current ketogenic diet compositions are self-limiting in their efficacy for seizures. A better composition of the ketogenic diet would include fermentable and non-fermentable, as well as soluble and insoluble fibers to promote a healthy gut microbiome and allow for development of the full benefit of the ketogenic diet for seizure reduction.

Lipolytic activity of human gastric and duodenal juice against medium and long-chain triglycerides is discussed by M. Cohen, R. G. H. Morgan, and A. F. Hofmann in1971, vol. 60, iss. 1, pp. 1 to 15. The presence of lipase in gastric aspirates containing less than 3% contamination with duodenal reflux (as determined by tests for bile acid) was demonstrated in all samples of apparently normal gastric juice from 73 subjects when assayed with a trioctanoin substrate emulsified in sodium taurodeoxycholate and buffered at pH 6. This enzyme, in contrast to lipase(s) in duodenal aspirate, was stable at pH 2, had a lower pH optimum, was rapidly inactivated by trypsin even in the presence of bile acid, and was moderately inhibited by added fatty acid. Like duodenal lipase(s), gastric lipase had greater activity against short-chain than long-chain triglycerides and was more active against the fatty acids in the 1 than in the 2 positions of triglyceride. It had a much smaller apparent molecular weight (40,000 to 50,000) than duodenal lipase (>500,000) by gel filtration chromatography and had only moderate esterifying properties compared with duodenal lipase(s). Synthetic triglycerides were cleaved more slowly by gastric lipase than by pancreatic lipase in pancreatic fistula juice or duodenal content. Triglycerides of human milk particles were cleaved by gastric lipase and lipases present in duodenal content, but not by pancreatic fistula juice which lacked bile acid, suggesting that milk particle triglyceride is resistant to pancreatic lipase unless bile acid is present. In healthy adults, the concentration of gastric lipase in gastric contents was much less than that of pancreatic lipase in duodenal contents, and gastric lipase did not contribute significantly to the lipolytic activity of duodenal content after a test meal. Gastric lipase was significantly decreased in the gastric contents of 3 achlorhydric patients. Medium chain triglyceride was not cleaved by 16 hr of incubation at pH 1.8 or 1 hr of incubation at pH 1, suggesting that “acid hydrolysis” does not occur. Gastric lipase probably contributes to digestion of milk triglyceride in infants, as well as to hydrolysis of administered medium chain triglyceride, especially in children with decreased pancreatic lipase concentrations. Its limited activity against long chain triglyceride suggests that gastric lipase has little role in normal fat digestion in adults.

Ketogenic response to medium-chain triglyceride load in the rat was disclosed by A. Bach et al. in1977, vol. 107, iss. 10, pp. 1863 to 1870. The authors studied ketonemia induced in rats by a single oral load of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) (C8:0 50.5%, C10:0 48.0%, C12:0 1.0%). Medium-chain fatty acids, rather than being incorporated into the lipids synthesized by the liver, are oxidized there, with high production of ketone bodies. Severe and long-lasting hyperketonemia developed rapidly. With increased MCT loads, ketonemia also increased, although not linearly. The level of the hyperketonemia seemed equal in the two sexes. Ingestion of MCT by fasting rats caused an additional rise in ketonemia. Long-chain triglycerides were not ketogenic since their constituent fatty acids are incorporated into lipids and are thus less subject to oxidation. Lipids induce less severe ketonemia in genetically obese rats than in normal-weight rats.

Gut microbiota, metabolic health, and the potential beneficial effects of a medium chain triglyceride diet in obese individuals is discussed by S. A. Rial et al. in2016 vol. 8, iss. 5, p 281. Obesity and associated metabolic complications, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), are in constant increase around the world. While most obese patients show several metabolic and biometric abnormalities and comorbidities, a subgroup of patients representing 3% to 57% of obese adults, depending on the diagnosis criteria, remains metabolically healthy. Among many other factors, the gut microbiota is now identified as a determining factor in the pathogenesis of metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO) individuals and in obesity-related diseases such as endotoxemia, intestinal and systemic inflammation, as well as insulin resistance. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that an optimal healthy-like gut microbiota structure may contribute to the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT), can ameliorate metabolic disease via their capacity to improve both intestinal ecosystem and permeability. MCT-enriched diets could, therefore, be used to manage metabolic diseases through modification of gut microbiota.

Functional alterations of human neutrophils by medium-chain triglyceride emulsions, evaluation of phagocytosis, bacterial killing, and oxidative activity are discussed by R. Bellinati-Pires in1993, vol 53, iss. 4, pp 404 to 410. Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and long-chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsions currently used in nutritional therapy were evaluated for their in vitro effect on neutrophil oxidative metabolism, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing activities. Neutrophils from healthy adult male volunteers were assessed after blood incubation with commercially available fat emulsions containing LCT, MCT, or a mixture of 50% MCT and 50% LCT at a final triglyceride concentration of 20 mg/ml. It was observed that MCT-containing emulsions stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction by neutrophils as determined by a cytochemical NBT test performed directly on whole blood. This effect was dose-dependent. However, after lipid removal by cell washing, the MCT-treated neutrophils showed decreased production of hydrogen peroxide (HO) and NBT reduction in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or phorbol myristate acetate stimuli as well as impaired phagocytosis and killing of. In contrast, the LCT emulsion did not alter any of the neutrophil functions evaluated. The present data suggest that MCTs elicit the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils, probably by phagocytosis of fat particles and, depending on the lipid concentration, this effect may not be reversible, leading to impairment of the cellular response to subsequent membrane stimuli.

The function of capric acid in cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and barrier function in pigs are discussed by S. I. Lee and K. S. Kang. 2017.vol. 7, 16530. The small intestine is not only critical for nutrient absorption, but also serves as an important immune organ. Medium-chain fatty acids have nutritional and metabolic effects and support the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. However, their roles in intestinal immunity in pigs are not fully understood. The authors investigated the effects of a medium-chain fatty acid, capric acid, on intestinal oxidative stress, inflammation, and barrier function in porcine epithelial cells and miniature pigs after treatment with the immune suppressant cyclophosphamide. Capric acid alleviated inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-6) and related gene expression (NF-κB, TNF-α, IFN-γ), alleviated oxidative stress (GSSG/GSH ratio, H2O2, and malondialdehyde), and increased oxidative stress-related gene expression (SOD1 and GCLC) in cyclophosphamide-treated IPEC-J2 cells. The permeability of FD-4 and expression of ZO-1 and OCLN in cyclophosphamide-treated IPEC-J2 cells were reduced by capric acid. Dietary capric acid reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA levels and increased SOD, GPx, and the expression of genes related to pro-inflammatory, oxidative stress, and intestinal barrier functions in cyclophosphamide-treated miniature pigs. These results revealed that capric acid has protective effects against cyclophosphamide-induced small intestinal dysfunction in pigs.

Effects of dietary caprylic and capric acids on piglet performance and mucosal epithelium structure of the ileum have been discussed by E. Hanczakowska, A. Szewczyk, and K. Okoń in2011, vol. 20, iss. 4, pp. 556 to 565. Effects of a diet supplemented with caprylic and/or capric acid on piglet performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, intestinal microflora and small intestine (ileum) structure were investigated. The experiment was performed on 252 piglets (24 litters) allocated to 4 experimental groups (6 litters each). The animals were fed with a standard feed mixture (control) or the same mixture supplemented with 2 g of caprylic or capric acid (groups Cand C, respectively) per 1 kg of feed. Group C+Creceived 1 g of caprylic and 1 g of capric acid. Apparent digestibility was estimated using CrOas an indicator, while microbiological analyses were performed using standard agar plates. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content of the ileum and caecum digesta was analysed using Varian 340 analyzer. The piglets receiving caprylic or capric acids grew significantly (P<0.01) faster than the control ones (average daily gains during the whole experiment, i.e., between days 1 and 84 of age, were: 288, 269, 278 and 234 g, respectively). The best feed utilization (1.3 kg per kg) was found in animals receiving caprylic acid. The acids also lowered piglet mortality, while significantly increased protein digestibility (P<0.01) and, to a lesser degree (P<0.05), also fibre digestibility. There was no significant difference in acidity of the digesta between control and experimental groups. Capric acid increased the amount of aerobic bacteria as compared to the control group, but the amount ofremained unchanged. The population ofwas reduced by both caprylic and capric acids (P<0.01). Acids had no effect on SCFA content of the ileum but lowered the acetic acid content of the caecum digesta. Capric acid had the strongest effect on villi, which were significantly higher (306 μm) than in the control group (233 μm). Differences in crypt depth were smaller but the crypts were also the deepest in piglets receiving capric acid. The results suggest that caprylic and capric acids added to the feed improve piglet performance, probably due to positive changes in the mucosal epithelium structure of the ileum.

Despite decades of production of companion animal dry foods in the commercial and research space, there are no recorded instances of a kibble, treat, or other diet meeting the criteria of ketogenic diets. Namely, a macronutrient composition exhibiting a ketogenic ratio of greater than or equal to about 1.5. Further, there are no published reports showing the relative levels of ketogenicity of state of the art ketogenic commercial dry kibbles. The ketogenic ratio (KR) is a ratio of the sum of ketogenic factors to the sum of antiketogenic factors (KR=K/AK) and was defined in the early 1900s as a rigorous, evidence based approach to determining the expected ketogenicity of a food. Zilberter T, Zilberter Y. Ketogenic Ratio Determines Metabolic Effects of Macronutrients and Prevents Interpretive Bias. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2018; 5:75. Calculations based on analytical data show instances of commercial products claiming or marketing to be ketogenic in fact fail to meet the scientific and medical basis for ketogenic, typically due to their high protein levels. Further, measurements of circulating blood ketones in dogs who'd consumed these state of the art commercial ketogenic foods did not manifest particularly high levels of ketones (e.g. D-beta-hydroxybutyrate; BHB) when compared to values available in published literature. It should be noted, however, that available historical examples predate the appearance of ketogenic commercial dry kibbles and typically employed a period of fasting followed by a period of feeding non-kibble semi-liquid fat feeding. Lathan A. Crandall, Jr. A Comparison Of Ketosis In Man And Dog. J. Biol. Chem. 1941, 138:123-128. Thus, current ketogenic commercial dry pet food kibbles would appear to be less than optimally ketogenic by not generating higher circulating blood BHB ketone levels. It should be noted that the ketogenic commercially available diets do not contain ketogenic fatty acids, such as medium chain triglycerides. Additionally, it should be noted that dogs are known to be particularly resistant to ketosis as a species when compared to humans. Id. The resistance to ketosis exhibited in canines further hinders the ability of conventional or state of the art ketogenic commercial pet food compositions to optimally induce ketosis in canines. In view of the foregoing, one having ordinary skill in the art would understand that they cannot merely or simply transfer ketogenic diet recommendations readily from humans to companion animals or pets; and thus, separate and custom solutions need to be developed that may be non-obvious and/or counter-intuitive.

Further, such diets lack sufficient dietary fiber to support gut health. Finally, such diets contain high levels of inorganic ash, specifically phosphorus, which can be harmful to renal health.

Although many advances in the art of formulating pet food composition have been made with respect to improving its ability to treat diseases, many more challenges remain. More specifically, there is an art recognized need for ketogenic pet food compositions, which are resistant to crumbling, palatable, and allow for increased inclusion of fat levels in the composition in order to better achieve ketosis in pet species known to be resistant to this physiological state. In this regard, delivery of a ketogenic pet food composition as a dry extruded kibble is known to be difficult to those skilled in the art of dry kibble extrusion. In dry kibble extrusion, use of starch-containing ingredients, including but not limited to grains, legumes and tubers, in the composition provides not only a source of dietary energy as carbohydrate, but also fulfills three critical non-nutritional roles that ensure a viable dry kibble product can and will be consumed by an end user. First, starch is viewed as an essential binding agent that allows for a dry kibble to be produced with sufficient durability that the kibble may be transferred through commercial production processes to end users without excess breakage and loss (termed “fines” in the art). Second, starch is used to ensure appropriately expanded foam cell structure in dry kibbles, which provides a pleasing aesthetic to pets and increases overall palatability. Third, the larger foam cell structure in dry kibble enabled by inclusion of starch also allows for accommodation of increased inclusion of topically added coatings (e.g. fats, palatants) through the increased surface area. An ideal solution would improve upon existing disclosed state of the art ketogenic pet food dry kibble by not only delivering enhanced ketogenicity but also by delivering enhanced or improved: 1) Durability, 2) Palatability, and 3) Fat Inclusion.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are designed to meet these and other needs.

The present disclosure is directed to a composition that provides complete and balanced nutrition to a companion animal. The composition has the following characteristics: a ketogenic ratio greater than or equal to about 1.5 or about 1.7, low levels of digestible carbohydrate, and 20% of the present fat is in the form of medium chain triglycerides. Further, under one embodiment, the composition comprises moderate protein on a per kcal basis. Further, under one embodiment, the composition comprises high microbiome-friendly fiber. Still further, under one embodiment, the composition comprises a low level of ash or a low level of phosphorus, or both.

The composition results in marked improvements over commercially available products by combining dietary ingredients that are not typically used together and overcoming significant technical challenges in the process.

Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure is an adult canine or feline dry maintenance kibble has a protein level of 7.5 g/100 kcal ME or less, at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber on a dry matter basis, 6 wt % or less, 5 wt % or less, or 3.5 wt. % or less of digestible starch and/or sugar, at least 35% wt. fat on a dry matter basis, at least 20% of fat as medium chain triglycerides, 6 wt. % or less of ash, 0.7 wt. % or less of phosphorus, and a ketogenic ratio (KR) greater than 1.7

The formulations for the dry kibble and the treat forms utilize a strategic combination of proteins and fibers.

Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure is a dry kibble or a treat wherein functional proteins and fibers reduce nitrogen burden on the lower gastrointestinal tract as well as feeds and nourishes the gut microbiome. Adherence to a low ash profile furthers the benefits of this reduction to practice. The ketogenic ratio KR of such a composition is greater than 1.5, which is higher than any commercially available companion animal diet.

The composition of the present disclosure comprises fat, or fats. Fats are one of the three main macronutrients, along with carbohydrates and proteins. Fat molecules consist of primarily carbon and hydrogen atoms and are therefore hydrophobic and are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in water. Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises more than about 35 wt. % fat, or more than about 42 wt. % fat.

The fat is comprised of at least 20 wt. % medium chain triglycerides. Alternatively, the fat of the dietary composition is comprised of from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % medium chain triglycerides. Triglyceride is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. The phrase “medium chain triglycerides” refers to triglycerides of fatty acid being 6 to 12 carbon atoms in length, including caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid.

The composition of the present disclosure comprises protein. Crude protein may be supplied by any of a variety of sources known by those skilled in the art, including plant sources, animal sources, or both. Animal sources include, for example, meat, meat by-products, seafood, dairy, eggs, etc.

Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises from about 4.5 g to about 14 g of protein per 100 kcal metabolizable energy, about 6 g to about 12 g of protein per 100 kcal metabolizable energy, or from about 7 g to about 10 g of protein per 100 kcal metabolizable energy. In another embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises about 4.5 g to 7.5 g of protein per 100 kcal metabolizable energy. The claimed compositions may comprise a metabolizable energy content of from about 3000 to about 5000 kcal/kg.

One of the ingredients of the dietary composition of the present disclosure is carbohydrate, including polysaccharides and sugars. Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates.

One of the ingredients of the dietary composition of the present disclosure is dietary fiber. Dietary fiber refers to components of a plant that are resistant to digestion by an animal's digestive enzymes. Dietary fiber, or total dietary fiber, consists of insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.

The present disclosure is also directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than 35 wt. % of fat, protein, less than 3.5 wt. % of carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % of fiber, wherein the ketogenic ratio is greater than about 1.5.

The ketogenic ratio (KR) is a ratio of the sum of ketogenic factors to the sum of antiketogenic factors: KR=K/AK. The ketogenic ratio is defined by the formula

wherein F is grams of fat; P is grams of protein and C is grams of carbohydrate.

Under one embodiment, the ketogenic ratio of the composition of the present disclosure is greater than about 1.5.

In some embodiments, the compositions described herein comprise from about 30 wt. % to about 60 wt. % protein. In other embodiments, the compositions described herein comprise from about 32.5 wt. % to about 57.5 wt. % protein. In further embodiments, the compositions described herein comprise from about 35 wt. % to about 55 wt. % protein. In certain embodiments, the compositions described herein comprise from about 37.5 wt. % to about 52.5 wt. % protein. Yet other embodiments provide compositions comprising from about 40 wt. % to about 50 wt. % protein. In some embodiments, the protein comprises animal protein, plant protein or a combination thereof.

The dietary composition for a companion animal may also further comprise additional ingredients. Micronutrients occurring in the composition of the present disclosure include trace minerals, vitamins, related compounds and sources thereof, at levels that are recommended or acceptable for companion animals.

Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises less than about 6 wt. % ash.

Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a low level of phosphorus. Reducing the level of dietary phosphorus has been shown to slow progression of kidney disease and prolong life. Under one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises less than about 0.7 wt. % of phosphorus.

The food compositions may be prepared in a canned or wet form using conventional food preparation processes known to skilled artisans. The food compositions may be prepared in a dry form using conventional processes known to skilled artisans. Typically, dry ingredients such as animal protein, plant protein, grains, and the like are ground and mixed together. Moist or liquid ingredients, including fats, oils, animal protein, water, and the like are then added to and mixed with the dry mix. The mixture is then processed into dry food pieces. Alternatively or additionally, the non-water wet ingredients can be coated onto the surface of the food pieces after drying via methods that may or may not involve application of a reduced pressure system (e.g. vacuum).

The food compositions can be in any form useful for feeding the composition to the companion animal, e.g., kibbles, treats, and toys for animal food. Kibbles are generally formed using an extrusion process in which the mixture of dry and wet ingredients is subjected to mechanical work at high pressure and temperature and forced through small openings and cut off into kibble by a rotating knife. The dried kibble is then dried and optionally coated with one or more topical coatings such as flavors, fats, oils, powders, and the like.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of improving the health of a companion animal by feeding the animal a pet food comprising an effective amount of the dietary composition. The ketogenic diet pet food is applicable to several indications or conditions, including, but not limited to, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, chronic inflammation, antibiotic resistance of the gut microbiome, or pathogenic dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, neurological seizures, high blood glucose, metabolic stress, or combinations thereof. The administration of the pet food comprising the dietary composition shifts the animal's metabolism from glucose-converting metabolism to fat-burning metabolism.

In the first aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively.

In the second aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively.

In the third aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 1.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively.

In the fourth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 43 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively.

In the fifth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, and wherein the fat is comprised of at least 20 wt. % medium chain triglycerides.

In the sixth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, and wherein the fat is comprised of from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % medium chain triglycerides.

In the seventh aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, comprising between about 4.5 g and 75 g of protein per 1000 kcal metabolizable energy.

In the eighth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, and comprising less than 6 wt. % ash.

In the ninth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, and further comprising less than 3 wt. % of ash.

In the tenth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, further comprising less than 0.7 wt. % of phosphorus.

In the eleventh aspect, the disclosure is directed to a dietary composition for a companion animal comprising greater than about 35 wt. % fat, protein, less than about 3.5 wt. % carbohydrates, and at least 10 wt %, at least 14 wt %, or at least 16 wt. % fiber, wherein (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C) is greater than about 1.5, wherein F, P, and C, are wt. % of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, further comprising less than 0.3 wt. % of phosphorus.